China has been vigorously promoting green and low-carbon development, with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar playing an increasingly important role in the country’s energy transition from 2005. In 2023, the cumulative installed capacity of wind power and solar energy accounted for 36% of the total power generation capacity in China, and this proportion is expected to reach 45% by 2030 and 83% by 2060.

In 2023, China added 293 GW of wind power and solar energy capacity, accounting for 56% of the global total.

The design lifespan of wind turbines and PV modules is 20-25 years, which means that starting in 2025 and 2030, the early-operating wind power and solar energy equipment in China will gradually enter a peak period for decommissioning.

In this article, Daydream briefly discusses the decommissioned wind turbine and PV module market in China via 4 aspects: market size, policies, disposal methods and key players.

In addition to strengthening end-of-life management for wind turbines and PV modules, some industry players are incorporating recycling and circularity into the initial design process. This includes the development and use of recyclable materials in wind turbine blades, for which Daydream also provided several case examples.

Table of content

1. Market Size of Wind Power and Solar Energy in China
2. Policies for Decommissioned Wind Turbines & PV Modules Manag. in China
3. Disposal Methods
3.1. Wind power
3.2. Solar energy
4. Key Players in China
4.1. Groups and associations
4.2. Wind turbine or PV module manufacturers
5. Daydream: B2B Tailor-made Projects in Europe / Asia / North America
6. References

1. Market Size of Wind Power and Solar Energy in China

In 2023, China accounted for 65% of the global increase in wind power capacity and 53% of the increase in solar power capacity.

  • Newly added installed capacity

In 2023, China added 75.9 GW of wind power capacity and 216.9 GW of solar energy capacity, holding 65% and 53% of the global increase in installed capacity respectively.

  • Cumulative installed capacity

By 2023, China’s cumulative installed wind power capacity reached 441.3 GW, while the cumulative installed solar energy capacity reached 609.5 GW.

The design lifespan of wind turbines and PV modules is 20-25 years, so China’s wind turbines and PV modules are expected to enter their peak decommissioning periods around 2025 and 2030, respectively.

By 2040, the cumulative decommissioned capacity is estimated to exceed 250 GW for both.

 

  • Decommissioned capacity
    • Wind power
      • In 2025, China will see the first large-scale decommissioning of wind turbines.
      • By 2040, the cumulative decommissioned wind power capacity is expected to reach around 280 GW, resulting in the generation of 35 to 40 million tons of solid wastes (excluding the concrete used for foundation).
    • Solar energy
      • Staring in 2030, China will step into a peak period for the decommissioning of PV modules.
      • By 2040, the cumulative recycling capacity is expected to reach around 250 GW, resulting in the generation of 14 to 16 million tons of solid waste.

 

2. Policies for Decommissioned Wind Turbines & PV Modules Manag. in China

  • National level

  • Province level

In response to national policies, various provinces have issued implementation guidelines or included references to the recycling and reuse of decommissioned wind power and solar energy equipment in related documents. For example:

3. Disposal Methods

3.1 Wind power

Components made from composites, represented by blades, are key challenges in the resource utilization of decommissioned wind turbines.

3.2 Solar energy

The PV lamination in the PV module is the focus of the disposal.

4. Key Players in China

Examples include:

4.1 Groups and associations

  • China Renewable Resources Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance
  • China Photovoltaic Recycling Industry Cooperation and Development Center
  • China Green Supply Chain Alliance Photovoltaic Committee
  • China Materials Recycling Association Wind Power & Solar Energy Equipment Recycling Committee
  • China Association of Circular Economy Committee for the Recycling of Decommissioned Wind Power and Solar Energy Equipment

4.2 Groups and associations

  • Wind turbine manufacturer
    • Goldwind
  • PV module manufacturers
    • Jinko Solar
    • DAS Solar

5. Daydream: B2B Tailor-made Projects in Europe / Asia / North America

In conclusion, decommissioned wind turbines and photovoltaic modules will become a globally important issue in the next 10 years, due to the nature of their components (Chemicals and Materials), the volumes to be processed, and their environmental impacts.

It seems timely to focus on this issue, and Daydream is in the best position (Method, Technical expertise, Global position, Network) to help you understand:

  • Regulatory developments
  • Available technologies
  • Key players – their strengths and weaknesses

And, above all, to assist you in defining a strategy and business plans on these topics.

Contacts : jean-louis.cougoul@daydream.eu; yusi.chen@daydream.eu; stephanie.lorini@dynovel.com; jean-pierre.molitor@daydream.eu

6. References

  1. Technology Outlook on Wind and Solar Power toward China’s Carbon Neutrality Goal, Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University, 2024
  2. Zero-Waste Future of Renewable Energy: a study on the development of recycling industry for wind and solar energy, Greenpeace, 2022
  3. Current Situation and Development Trend of End-Of-Life Photovoltaic Module Treatment and Disposal, 2024
  4. Analysis on Recycling Technology and Environmental and Economic Benefits of Waste Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules, 2022
  5. Environmental Management Requirements and Trend Analysis for the Recycling and Disposal of Decommissioned Wind Power and Photovoltaic Equipment, Solid Waste and Chemical Management Technology Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, 2024
  6. 2023 Photovoltaic Industry Development Review and 2024 Situation Outlook, China Photovoltaic Industry Association
  7. Global Wind Report 2024, Global Wind Energy Council
  8. Decommissioning of Onshore Wind Turbines, WindEurope, 2020
  9. Status of PV Module Recycling in Selected IEA PVPS Task12 Countries, International Energy Agency, 2022
  10. Pollution Control Technical Specification for the Recycling and Reuse of Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades (Draft for Comments), Jiangsu province, 2024
  11. Pollution Control Technical Specification for the Comprehensive Utilization of Decommissioned Photovoltaic Modules (Draft for Comments), Jiangsu province, 2024
  12. GBT43752-2024 Recycling and Disposal Methods for Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Module – Physical Methods, 2024